Often times we are asked to describe ourselves in three words. Sounds like an easy task, yes? Usually, we would just think of the first three words that come to mind (which, more than likely, are three words we often hear people use to describe us). But what if you were asked to describe yourself in one fabulous word—one word to encapsulate every aspect of your being to define who you are? One word (taken in reference from the novel Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert) that essentially becomes “your word”. All of a sudden it becomes something difficult. How could you possibly describe your entire existence in one word?
There are many ways a person could go about this task. Some might think of a word that has the most meaning and the most priority to them, like family or it could be who you are or aspire to be, like doctor. For others, perhaps, it is a word that describes their passion in life like painting. Yet others might go for a word that inspires them like dream. Whatever the word is, it is a word that, once heard, could provoke a person to have a better understanding of who you are and what you stand for. Is such a thing possible? Absolutely. I believe that no matter how complex a person may be, everyone has something that they adhere to so significantly that despite all of the other elements in life nothing gets in the way of them and “their word”.
So, back to how this is possible. I suggest that you begin by making a couple of lists to include three words—one using only nouns, and the other, verbs. You may be able to figure out the connection between yourself and the nouns (as they are often what you would consider important to you, or who you are). Now what about the verbs? The verbs are your passions. Some of you may wonder why you can’t use adjectives as well, as I’m sure you may want to reflect a certain feeling (and, after all, adjectives are descriptive words). The answer is easy. The feeling or adjective you may want to use will ultimately come from either your noun or your verb for it is either one of these things that causes the feeling.
Now, once you’ve made these lists, narrow them down to one word each. When you’ve done this, decide which of the two words left (noun or verb) you feel the most connection with. And that, my friends, is “your word”.
Here is what I’ve come up with for myself. My word is music.
NOUNS VERBS
love writing
writer dance
music dream
music writing
Ultimately, I choose music because music is involved in everything that I do. I’ve often said that my life would be nothing without music and that it is the one thing that I cannot live without. It stems from many loves of my life – singing, dancing, writing (poetry is music and music is poetry) – and it connects me to other things in my life like family and friends Through music, one can express emotions of love, happiness, heartbreak, and sorrow. Though I’m not a musician (nor will I ever be), I’m one who has a great appreciation for music in its many forms; therefore, music is my very existence.
